Cable Cast On

It has been a fairly boring week which is nice for a change...I have been dragging my feet getting my proposals ready for the next issue of Cast On.  I know what I will  be doing next week!

STUDENT NEWS
I only received one lesson to review this week.  I guess everyone is in holiday mode.  I got a request from someone who had signed up for the Basics course a while back.  Again, as long as I am the instructor of the course, you can continue with it even after a year has past.  When I first started teaching the course I would mail the materials but now I email them.  This has allowed me to keep the cost the same.  


TIP OF THE WEEK
The tip this week is how to work the cable cast on.  This is a very simple cast on, one that many beginning knitters learn as it uses knitting needles.  It produces a very firm, non-elastic edge.  (Hint:  This isn't a cast on to use if you want a stretchy edge, say for a baby hat.)  About the only time I use it is when I am making one-row horizontal buttonholes.    As for many cast ons, there is a smooth side and bumpy side.  This photo shows the smooth side.  

This is the bumpy side.

When you are using a cast on with smooth and bumpy sides, be consistent within the project as to which side you select for the right side of the work.  Which you choose, doesn't matter as long as you are consistent.

This photograph shows the smooth side of the cast on for the right side of the work.

This is the wrong side.  Notice how well the bumpy side of the cast on blends in with the reverse stockinette.

Here is the link to the video:  Cable Cast On


KNITTING SALON
This week's salon will be on Sunday from 2:00-4:00.  The Met auditions are on Saturday and I am hoping to get there for at least part of it!  It is always a great event.


CURRENT PROJECTS 
I am making good progress on the gift front.  I had quite a bit of time to knit this week.  If I could only stop ripping things out I would get more done.  I decided to make chain mail shawls for Cynthia and Jordan.  They live in Dallas.  I used Berroco Elements which is a metallic yarn.  It is perfect for this project.  The photograph doesn't do the yarn colors justice.  They are gold and silver.

This slouch hat needs to be blocked which I haven't done yet.  You can't really see the pattern.  I will do the finishing on all of this stuff later.

I decided to put a blue stripe in the hat so that it will match the mitts.

I am making a pair of cashmere mitts for Martha to give to her sister-in-law.  Yes, I can be very nice when I want to be.